VDT operation monitoring apparatus and method for monitoring

• US 6,421,630 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp. (Dexerials Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp. (Dexerials Corporation)
• Inventors: Hamazaki, Kenichi, Yamada, Yoshiro, Higano, Tetsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US09/407,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 702/177, 702/178, 702/182, 702/176, 713/324, 324/121
• US Class Current: 702/177
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/16 the pattern of rectangular co-ordinates extending over the whole area of the screen, i.e. television type raster
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus and method for monitoring a VDT operation which allow flexible control over a VDT.

A VDT operation monitoring apparatus for putting a VDT in a rest state when a preset operating time passes, with which an operator can select “start operation”, “continue operation” or “stop operation” while the operating time is being measured. This allows a flexible action to be taken when the operator is replaced or when the operating time is to be changed. When a measured time agrees with the operating time, the VDT is put in a rest state and the operator is instructed to take a rest.

Claims

1. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus, comprising:

time measuring means for measuring time;

control means for detecting time measured by said time measuring means; and

notification means for providing notification of desired information under the control of said control means, wherein said control means puts a VDT in a rest state when a preset operating time has passed, said notification means provides predetermined notification when the VDT is put in the rest state, said time measuring means measures the time after said VDT is put in the rest state and said control means inhibits a VDT operation while the time reaches a predetermined rest time since the beginning of the rest state.

2. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means puts said VDT operation monitoring apparatus in a rest state when said selection to stop an operation is made.

3. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means causes said notification means to provide a notification of the fact that a time measured by said time measuring means has exceeded a preset time to rest.

4. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said operation selecting means allows a selection as to whether an operation is to be resumed or not when a preset time to rest has passed.

5. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an electronic apparatus including a VDT and a software program operating on said electronic apparatus.

6. A VDT operation monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

operation selecting means for allowing any one of the states of starting, continuing or stopping an operation to be selected by an operator while said time measurement is being detected, wherein said control means for determining the state of said VDT in accordance with the selection.

7. A method for monitoring a VDT operation, comprising the steps of:

measuring a time during which a VDT is in operation;

putting said VDT in a rest state when the measured time exceeds a preset operating time;

providing predetermined notification to the VDT display when said VDT is in the rest state;

measuring the time after said VDT is put in the rest state; and

inhibiting a VDT operation while the time reaches the predetermined rest time since the beginning of the rest state.

8. A method for monitoring a VDT operation according to claim 7, wherein the VDT is put in a rest state when said selection to stop the operation is made.

9. A method for monitoring a VDT operation according to claim 8, comprising the steps of:

measuring time after said rest state is entered; and

causing the VDT to indicate the fact that the time has exceeded a preset rest time.

10. A method for monitoring a VDT operation according to claim 9, comprising the step of:

allowing the operator to make a selection as to whether to resume the operation when said rest time has passed.

11. A method for monitoring a VDT operation according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

allowing an operator to select any one of the alternatives of initializing, continuing or stopping the measuring of time by the requirement of the operator while said time measurement is being detected.

12. A recording medium for storing a method for monitoring a VDT operation, comprising the steps of:

measuring a time during which a VDT is in operation;

putting said VDT in a rest state when the measured time exceeds a preset operating time;

allowing an operator to select any one of the alternatives of starting, continuing or stopping the operation; and

determining the state of said VDT in accordance with the selection.